Division of Conservation

Updated February 4, 2019

Welcome to the Division of Conservation (DOC)

Conservation of natural resources is an important concern for all Kansans. The Division of Conservation, working with the 105 local Conservation Districts, the 88 organized Watershed Districts, other special purpose districts, and state and federal entities administer programs to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, conserve water, reduce flood potential and provide local water supply. The DOC has the responsibility to administer the Conservation Districts Law, the Watershed District Act and other statutes authorizing various programs. The agency budget is financed from the dedicated funding of the Kansas State Water Plan Special Revenue Fund, State General Fund, and fee funds.

Division of Conservation News

KDA Announces Riparian Quality Enhancement Initiative

The Kansas Department of Agriculture–Division of Conservation announces the Riparian Quality Enhancement Initiative (RQEI) to provide financial assistance for the enhancement of riparian areas.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture–Division of Conservation announces the Riparian Quality Enhancement Initiative (RQEI) to provide financial assistance for the enhancement of riparian areas. This initiative will be made available to designated areas within the Delaware River, Stranger Creek, Little Arkansas River and Rock Creek Watersheds. Riparian areas are the vegetation and habitats along rivers and streams.

This initiative will support practices that provide new alternative water sources, increase riparian fencing, and enhance the riparian area. Projects will receive 80 percent cost share, with a limit that varies based on the type of project; funding will be through the Riparian and Wetland Protection Program. The streams that have been targeted for this initiative were selected because they are labeled as Total Maximum Daily Loading (TMDL) for E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. All areas that are part of a producer’s grazing system are eligible for cost share — pasture, range and cropland — so long as livestock have access to the riparian area for water or shelter.

Interested producers should consult with their Conservation District or the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to submit a project proposal. All applications for the RQEI will be due by Feb. 15, 2019, and successful applicants will be notified by March 15, 2019.

For a full list of practices that can be included in the RQEI initiative, a map of the targeted watersheds, and additional program guidance, along with a link to contact information for Kansas Conservation Districts, go to agriculture.ks.gov/Riparian.